DA: Manitou Springs police officer justified in shooting

A Manitou Springs police officer who shot a man in the hip in May was justified, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

Officer Joshua Thomas shot Christopher Clemons, 37, after Clemons fired at the officer while fleeing, the DA's Office said in a press release.

"The facts and evidence from this particular investigation demonstrate that Officer Joshua Thomas acted reasonably and was justified in defending himself and others from the imminent use of deadly physical force by Christopher Clemons," the release states.

Thomas and officer Cary Noll were dispatched to a room at the LaFon Motel, 123 Manitou Ave., on a report of a man with an outstanding warrant.

"Officers additionally received information that a possible illegal gun transaction was taking place inside the hotel room," the release states.

When officers arrived, they met up with Clemons, who ran and allegedly fired a .45-caliber handgun toward Thomas, who returned fire, hitting Clemons once in the hip.